Machame Route 7days

Machame Route 7days

The Machame route, also known as the Whisky Route is one of the most scenic and recommended routes to climb the Kilimanjaro. While hiking this route, you will pass through magnificent forests to gain a ridge leading through the moorland zones to the Shira Plateau. It then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Ice fields, to join the Barafu Route to the summit. Because the hike is spread over a longer period and because of the more manageable incline, the success rate to reach the summit is much higher than with the e.g. Marangu route.

Duration:	5 or 7 days
Difficulty:	Medium
Scenery:	Excellent
Traffic:	High

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel for overnight. Your head guide will meet you in order to give you a briefing, do a gear check and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.

DAY 1: MACHAME GATE – MACHAME CAMP: 10.75KM/7MI | 5-6 HRS | RAINFOREST

Elevation: 1811 m - 3021 m (5942 ft - 9911 ft)
Altitude gained: 1210m

Departing from Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through the Village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

DAY 2: MACHAME CAMP – SHIRA CAMP: 5.3KM/3MI | 4-5HRS | MOORLAND

Elevation: 3021m 3839m (9911 ft - 12 595 ft)
Altitude gained: 818m

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite. Temperatures begin to drop.

DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP: 10.75KM/6MI | 5-6HRS | SEMI-DESERT

Elevation: 3839m 3986m (12 595 ft 13077 ft)
Altitude gained: 147m

Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.

DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP: 5.2KM/3MI | 3-4HRS | ALPINE DESERT

Elevation: 3986 m 4034m (13 077 ft 13 235)
Altitude gained: 48m

After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days, as you will get to see the power, agility, and the strength of your crew as they zip over this wall, which appears to be easy.. However, you will be surprised. We follow the route to enjoy our overnight camping at Karanga Camp.

DAY 5: HIKE KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP: 3.3KM /2 MI | 3-4HRS | ALPINE DESERT

Elevation: 4034m 4662m (13 235 ft 15 295 ft)
Altitude gained: 628m

We continue up towards Barafu Camp. Once you have reached the camp, we can congratulate you, as you have now completed the Southern Circuit! This location offers a variety of breath-taking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for the summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

DAY 6: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT: 4.86KM /3MI UP | 5-7HRS | – MWEKA CAMP: 11.5KM /7.2MI DOWN | 5-6HRS | GLACIERS, SNOW CAPPED SUMMIT

Elevation: 4662m 5895m (15,295 ft 19,341 ft)
Altitude gained: 1233m
Descent to 3106 m / 10,190 ft
Altitude lost: 2789 m

Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, trying to stay warm and focusing on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.

Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!

After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight Mweka Camp.

DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – MOSHI: 9.1KM/6MI |3-4HRS | RAINFOREST

Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft
Altitude lost: 1473m

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep, we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles. From the gate, a vehicle will pick you up at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!

If you have any questions or special requirements, do not hesitate to contact us. We are more than happy to give you some more information and to help you to fully prepare for the most beautiful hike of your life.